Awesome Weekend Getaways Near Portland

You don’t need to travel far to relish in all of the beauty and fun Oregon has to offer. Pack your weekender bags, fill up the gas tank, and check out these fantastic locations.

Painted Hills & John Day Fossil Beds

    • About a 4 hour drive SE lay the breathtaking Painted Hills, a unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (see photo above). They are so colorful, you’ll think you landed on a different planet! Aside from taking the sights, the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument offers tons of hiking trails. Visit the Thomas Condon Paleontology to see all of the bizarre fossils paleontologists have found in the area including short-faced bears, four-toed horses, and meat-eating creodonts (a wolflike mammal). Center Campgrounds and restaurants can be found nearby.

Crater Lake

    • A volcanic caldera filled with rain and snow melt, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the US and one of the most pristine lakes on Earth. The outdoor activities at Crater Lake are endless! You can go fishing, swimming, hiking, camping, birdwatching, etc. You can even learn more about Crater Lake by attending a Ranger Program. Crater Lake also offers walking, trolley, and boat tours. Be sure to check out Sinnott Memorial – The oldest and most popular viewpoint in the park built specifically to offer a united view of the beauty and the geologic story. Most of the hiking trails at Crater Lake are usually still covered with snow in May and June, so it might be best to wait until late Summer to visit.

Mt Hood National Park

    • Skiing season may be over, but there are plenty of other activities you can do at Mt. Hood. Hike it’s many trails, visit Timberline Lodge, grab a beer and some lunch at Mt Hood Brewing, or go down to Trillium Lake for a kayak or paddle board session. Visit in July or August to see high-elevation wildflowers.

Gearhart

    • Gearhart is one of the few Oregon coastal towns devoid of tourist trappings. This tiny beach town doesn’t have many tourist attractions, but is surrounded with natural beauty. It’s four mile long beach is ranked among the best in Oregon and is perfect for a quiet peaceful getaway. Stay at the adorable Gearhart Ocean Inn and have dinner at Pacific Way Bakery & Cafe. Want to golf? Check out Gearhart Golf Links!

Sisters

    • Sisters is an adorable quaint town just north of Bend with an “Old West” vibe. City ordinances in Sisters actually requires businesses to maintain a rustic 1880’s aesthetic! Aside from taking in the downtown life with it’s many restaurants and shops, Sisters also offers lots of outdoor activities as well. Take a boat out on Suttle Lake, hike near Metolius River or hike the Whychus Overlook for a beautiful panoramic view of The Three Sisters mountains.

Cape Arago

    • Cape Arago is worth the 4 hour drive! From it’s stunning sandstone headlands to the elegant paths of Shores Acres Botanical Gardens, Cape Arago is a must see destination. Visit at low tide to explore the tide pools at Sunset Bay State Park. Take the Shores Acres Loop Trail the take in the wild and dramatic sandstone cliffs. It’s also a great place to see sea lions and harbor seals lounging on the rocks.

Hood River

    • Often called the windsurfing capital of the world, Hood River is located at the crossroads of the Columbia River Gorge and the Cascade Range. Hood River is great for foodies, historians, hikers, bikers, beer and wine lovers – it offers a little bit of everything to everyone. Thanks to the Hood River County Fruit Loop Map, which provides directions to 36 orchards, lavender farms, roadside produce stands, and even alpaca farms, navigating the area’s 15,000 or so acres of agricultural land is easy as pie. Take the bridge over to the small but mighty town of White Salmon for some dinner and wine tasting.

Astoria

    • Best known for being the filming site of many cult classic movies like The Goonies, Kindergarten Cop, and Short Circuit, Astoria is a fishing village-meets-Victoriana port city filled with great food and tons of sight seeing. It offers multiple museums, breweries, shops and restaurants. A must see for architecture lovers is the Flavel House Museum.

McMinnville

    • Hello Wine Country! McMinnville is a historic town located in the heart of Oregon’s Wine Country. Sprinkled throughout downtown are restored, turn-of-the-century buildings reinvented as restaurants, wine bars and galleries. But even though McMinnville is famous for fine wines, it’s also a family-friendly destination, home to the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum and an annual UFO festival. Stay and wine taste at the Youngberg Hill Vineyards & Inn and continue the wine tour over at the Eyrie Vineyards. Are you a foodie? McMinnville is also home to restaurant “ōkta”, opened by Michelin-star chef Matthew Lightner. ōkta offers a highly progressive tasting menu that draws inspiration from the bounty of the Willamette Valley and the cadence of its micro-seasons. Be sure to make a reservation!

Newport

    • Newport is an ideal coastal location if you want to take in the ocean views, but still have plenty of restaurants and attractions nearby. Stroll along the Historic Bayfront, where you can browse the shops, admire the boats in the harbor, enjoy Ripley’s Believe it or Not!, and visit the sea lion docks. Say hi to one of the cutest critters on the planet, the Sea Otter, at the Newport Aquarium. You must check out the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, where Yaquina Head Lighthouse stands at the end of a mile-long basaltic headland.

May Home Maintenance Checklist

April shower bring May flowers! Here is a home maintenance checklist that will help get your spaces ready for the nicer weather we have ahead of us. Tick these 10 items off your to-do list so you can get to the good stuff like hanging out around the grill, kicking back on the porch and savoring the season.

1. Get Ready for Grilling Season

    • Giving your grill a deep cleaning before the start of the season will help it work more efficiently and prevent flare-ups. Clean the grates and interior with a grill brush and wash the exterior with warm, soapy water. Clean and organize your grilling tools (tongs, spatula, skewers) and pick up charcoal or propane if needed. If you have a gas grill, be sure to check the fuel line for cracks and clean out any clogged burner holes.

2. Check Outdoor Lighting

    •  Make sure all outdoor lights are in working order, including porch lights, landscape lighting and motion-sensing security lights. Replace bulbs or schedule repairs as needed.

3. Maintain/Repair Garden Paths

    • Create neat edges, pull weeds, fill in gravel paths with fresh gravel and replace or reposition broken steppingstones.

4. Tend to Your Potted Plants

    • If you have potted plants that stay indoors over winter, bring them out once the danger of frost has passed. To help your plants acclimatize, find a protected spot out of direct sun for the first several weeks outdoors.

5. Inspect Kitchen & Bathroom Fixtures

    • Keeping an eye on these areas can help prevent costly water damage and repairs later on. Make a plan to re-grout or re-caulk around counters and tile as needed. If you come across any slow leaks, have these repaired as well.

6. Clean Walls & Touch Up Paint

    • Use a dusting attachment on your vacuum or an electrostatic duster to remove dust from walls, paying special attention to corners and baseboards. For a deeper clean, wipe down walls with warm, soapy water after dusting. Rinse with clean water, using a lint-free cloth. Touch up paint as needed on interior walls and trim.

7. Clean Items on Open Shelves

    • Infrequently used items stored on open shelves can get pretty grimy over time. For items with a thin layer of dust, swipe with an electrostatic duster. If there is a thicker layer of dust, of if the items are in the kitchen (where cooking grease can be an issue), wash each piece in a tub of warm, soapy water. Rinse and allow everything to dry before replacing.

8. Add a Relaxing Porch or Backyard Feature

    • Make your home’s porch or backyard more inviting with a cohesive piece of furniture. Furniture pieces to consider include a porch swing, rocking chairs, outdoor umbrellas or curtains, etc.

9. Clean Your Laundry Room/Area

    • Run your washer with a speciality washing machine cleaner or white vinegar on a hot water cycle. Thoroughly wipe the rubber rim inside the washer and dryer doors and remove lint from the dryer vent with a vent brush or vacuum attachment. Clean countertops, mop floors and restock supplies.

10. And As Always – Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

    • Smoke alarms should be tested at least once a month and replaced every 10 years — even if they still appear to be in working order, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors; replace batteries as needed. Check the expiration date on your fire extinguisher and replace it if necessary.

Whether you want to get your backyard ready for Memorial Day weekend or want to wrap up some spring cleaning, I hope this checklist helps you tackle some house chores! Until next month! 🙂

Resources: Houzz.com

Quick Tips for Beginner Gardeners

Spring has sprung and now it’s time to bust out your gardening tools and enjoy the fresh air. So many rewards come with gardening, but starting your very first garden can feel very overwhelming. Luckily, gardens can be surprisingly forgiving and the best way to learn is by diving in. Here are 10 tips to help get a new garden off on the right foot.

1. Jot Down Your Goals, Style & Design Ideas

    • Start searching the web and social media platforms (like Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, etc.) and write down any ideas that inspire or speak to you. See if you can find a common theme that incorporates your favorite design ideas. Some themes could include an Asian-inspired Zen garden, simple yet cozy Cottage garden, or an Modern Industrial garden. Once you’ve locked down a theme/style, take a moment to jot down the activities and features you imagine enjoying in your landscape. If you have children, you may need a lot of open space for running around. Or perhaps you dream of relaxing in the middle of a big wildflower meadow — whatever it is, write it down.

2. Explore & Get to Know Your Gardening Site

    • Consider some of the following ideas that will help you get familiar with your property before starting your garden: Take a leisurely stroll around your property with a notebook and make a rough sketch of the existing planting areas. Create a garden “map” and note which areas get the most sun and which are shaded. Buy a simple soil test from your local garden center and it will tell you whether your soil is well-balanced in nutrients and pH. If you plan on growing fruits, veggies, herbs, etc. be sure to test your soil for any lead. You can send your soil samples to the Lead Safe America Foundation for a free lead test. Make note of your existing plants, fences, and paths and decide what is staying and what is going.

3. Make a Plan

    • No matter how big or small you want your garden, having a plan is key. If you’re not sure which plants to buy, visit a local nursery and take photos of the plants you like and might want to put in your garden. Look at the tags and note when they bloom, sun requirements, and water requirements. Pulling this information together into a sketched-out plan takes a little extra time, but will make for a more successful garden in the end. Choose plants that bloom in different seasons for year-round color, and be sure to pick plants with similar sun and water requirements to plant together.

4. Start Small

    • The bigger the garden, the more time and energy it will require to maintain. Examine what you want (say, a vegetable garden) and then scale it down (for example, plant one raised bed rather than six). You can always expand next year! This is also true for purchasing plants. It’s easy to get seduced by the bountiful plants at the nursery and come home with far too many. Remember, planting takes time, so buy only what you can comfortably get into the ground within the next day or two.

5. Acquire Basic Gardening Tools

    • Having the proper tools makes garden chores more pleasant — but don’t think you need to buy out the store on day one. Just a few tools and supplies should keep your garden running smoothly. The basics include: gardening gloves, shovel, trowel and weeding tool, long garden hose and spray nozzle, hand pruner, metal rake, and a leaf rake.

6. Mix Up Perennials & Annuals

    • A common beginning gardener mistake is to grab too many plants from the “annuals” section at the nursery, making for a garden that dies back within a single year. For longevity and color, go for a mix of perennials (plants that come back year after year) and annuals (plants that bloom and die within a single season).

7. Repeat Plants for a Cohesive Garden

    • One great way to give your garden a professionally designed look is to repeat the same plants and hardscaping materials in different places throughout the landscape. Avoid picking one plant of each type, as this tends to appear jumbled — even in a wild English cottage-style garden, plants look best when repeated or planted in clusters. The same goes for other materials: Choose just a few hardscaping materials for paths, pots, planters and outdoor furniture, and repeat, repeat, repeat.

8. Seeds + Starts = Affordable Mix!

    • Starting an entire garden from seed can save money, but it can also be incredibly frustrating. Purchasing only started plants is not only expensive, but it also may limit your choice of what to grow. The best option is usually a combination of the two: Pick up some started seedlings at your local nursery and start some of your own from seed. Good plants to start from seed yourself include lettuce, beans, radishes, marigolds, cosmos, sunflowers, and zinnias.

9. Grow What You Like

    • I know this may sound simple, but it’s something that even the most experienced gardeners tend to look over and forget. Just because it’s squash season, if you don’t like it, don’t grow it! Try devoting extra garden space to family favorites like snap peas, radishes, Tuscan kale and mini pumpkins for Halloween.

10. Further Your Garden Education

    • Seek out local workshops to learn more about gardening and connect with other gardeners in your community! Check plant nurseries, community gardens and botanical gardens in your area for free or low-cost workshops on a wide range of topics like using native plants, attracting pollinators, composting, container gardening, and creating a water-wise garden. Gardening is a lifelong learning experience, and even the most seasoned gardeners are learning all the time — so don’t beat yourself up if it seems that there’s too much to know. Just begin somewhere and take it one season at a time. The wonderful thing about gardening is that there’s usually room for do-overs.

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your March! Until next month!

Resources: Houzz.com

Common Decorating Mistakes to Avoid

Decorating a living room can be a tough job! Choosing color schemes, furniture, making sure everything is proportionate and balanced is a lot to keep in mind so here is a list of the most common styling errors that people make and how to steer well clear of them. 

1. Sofa is Too Large or Too Small

    • Selecting a sofa that’s the wrong scale for your living room is the biggest mistake people make. Keep in mind that a sofa can look entirely different once it leaves the showroom and enters your living room. Color also plays a big part in how big/small the sofa appears. For example, a dark sofa with a floor length skirt can look extremely heavy in a small living room space. You can avoid this mistake by measuring up your living room, the other furniture in the room, and the sofa you have your eye on before you buy. Consider the style of sofa. In a compact living room, consider a sofa on legs and with narrow arms to give the illusion of more space. If you have a large room, you might consider a more substantial sofa, such as one with wide arms that sits close to the ground.

2. Hanging Artwork Too High

    • Artwork is often hung too high to be properly seen or appreciated. Gallery style is the only hanging style that allows for artwork to be hung higher than eye height as it combines artworks of different sizes to create a wall of art. Make sure your artwork is hung at eye height, with the middle of the piece approximately 63 inches from the floor.

3. Making Your TV the Focus of the Room

    • Many homeowners will choose an oversize television that is too big for the room and then center all the furniture around it, forgetting that the living room is for entertaining and conversation too. The television can be an integral part of your living room without being the focus of it. The key is to conceal it as much as possible and create a space that performs dual functions as a watching zone and relaxing/social space. A built-in wall of cabinetry or a ready-made cabinet with shelves are two smart ways to detract attention from a television or conceal it altogether. Use the open sections of the cabinetry to house books, photos, ornaments and other interesting things that will draw the eye from the television and add personality to the room.

4. Rugs That Are Too Small

    • A great rug can be the making of your living room. It grounds your furniture and, in an open-plan space, defines the living area, but the most common mistake people make is purchasing a rug that is too small for the space or the furniture in it. A too-small rug sits separately from the furniture in the room, making the space look disjointed and feel uninviting. You can avoid this by measuring your living room and the main pieces of furniture before shopping. Ideally, the rug you choose should be big enough to allow the key pieces of furniture to sit on top of it. If your living room is not big enough to allow everything to sit fully on your rug, choose a style that is slightly wider than your sofa and allows for the front legs of your sofa and any smaller furniture pieces (such as side tables and stools) to sit on it.

5. Coffee Tables That Are Too Small

    • Just like rugs, it’s a common mistake to purchase a coffee table for your living room that is too small or doesn’t fit with the rest of your furniture. A too-tiny coffee table can also prove a practical challenge. If the coffee table is too small for the sofa or chairs, it will often get positioned far away from them in an effort to create a sense of balance, which makes it hard to reach. Remember this rules of thumb: your coffee table should be between half to one-third of the length of your sofa. Look to position it about 16 to 20 inches from the sofa and armchairs so you can reach it comfortably.

6. Putting All Your Furniture Against One Wall 

    • Pushing all your living room furniture up against the walls is another common styling mistake people make. When the sofa is against one wall, with a pair of armchairs against another, and the coffee table stranded in the middle of the room where nobody can reach it, the result is a dull room that feels a little like the waiting room in a doctor’s surgery. A good solution is to move the furniture deeper in the room and set up conversation zones that will instantly make the room feel cozier and more welcoming. The arrangement that works best will depend on the shape and size of the room. You may decide to put the sofa against a wall, with a pair of armchairs opposite it and a coffee table in between them. Or, if your living room is spacious, you may choose to place the furniture near the middle of the room, with space around it to move about.

7. Bad Lighting

    • With lighting, the problem comes down to either too much or too little light, and not enough options to allow you to use the space for different functions. Look to create a smart, layered lighting scheme in your living room consisting of different light sources, such as a ceiling pendant, table and floor lamps and up or down lights. Setting them on dimmers allows you to alter the lighting levels and mood to suit the occasion. A layered lighting scheme also allows two people to use the space at the same time for different tasks without disturbing each other. For example, one person might be watching television with the lights dimmed, while another person is reading in the corner of the room with a floor light on, There are three types of lighting you’ll want to include: ambient lighting — a gentle wash of light that allows you to move around safely; accent lighting — to highlight special features in the room, such as art; and task lighting — for reading and other tasks where you need to see clearly.

Have you ever made a decorating mistake that you regret? Let me know in the comments!

Until next month!

Resources: Houzz.com

Interior Design Trends for 2024

Whether you’re planning a gut renovation or simply looking to complete a budget-friendly home refresh, this list of 2024’s biggest home trends is sure to help!

Peach & Apricot Colors

    • Described as “radiant with warmth and modern elegance”, Pantone’s color of the 2024 “Peach Fuzz” will be popping up in all sorts of different home spaces. Peach and apricot colors can easily be paired with neutrals and naturals, but also looks excellent with greens, purples and blues for a vibrant contrast. Start small with throw blankets, pillows, rugs, etc. or bump it up a notch and paint an accent wall in peach or apricot.

Wallpaper in Unexpected Places

    • Wallpaper has definitely made a comeback! Bring a little fun and surprise to your space by placing wallpaper in unexpected places like coat closets, linen closets, small bars, and half baths. Give your small spaces a little glow up because every space in a home should feel special, even if you don’t see them everyday.

Fluted Details

    • Fluted elements like below bring a distinctive texture and visual interest to your surfaces and finishes. It’s extremely versatile across different design types and adds a certain sophistication that makes the space feel considered.

Metal Finishes

    • Metals can amplify whatever vibe a room is already giving. Bright aluminums and silver are going to make a splash this year after years of gold and black dominating metal hardware and accessories. Adding metals to your home doesn’t always have to be in hardware or accessories though. Try using them in your furniture pieces or light fixtures.

Woodgrain Millwork

    • This year, we’ll see more and more people wanting to expose their original wood millwork. Opt for rich woods like walnut, maple, and mahogany over paint-grade millwork.

Romanticism

    • Unspool your ribbons! Romanticism isn’t just for the 19th century (or the 1980s!). It’s a carefree style that exudes confidence, pinks, reds, florals, lace, and ribbons which can make a space feel sensual and provocative. Try this trend out with floral pillows, botanical textiles, and jewel tones.

Vintage Furniture

    • I don’t think vintage furniture will ever go out of style. Although investment pieces like vintage furniture may take a toll on the wallet, the quality and longevity you’ll get out of them will far surpass big box store “fast” furniture.

Intimate Dining Areas

    • “In the past decade, there has been a noticeable shift in preferences—many now favor separating the kitchen from the dining room, moving away from the once-popular open concept. This change reflects a growing inclination, reminiscent of today’s popular period dramas, to create more intimate dining experiences for gatherings with family and friends. This often involves blocking direct access to the busy kitchen, immersing guests in beautifully designed dining rooms.” — Rayman Boozer, Apartment 48

Quiet Luxury

    • The idea of quiet luxury is to use innovation and timeless elegance to transfer a space that inspires and elevates everyday living. Sustainable materials, discreetly integrated smart technology and a revival of classic design elements evokes nostalgia while embracing the modern era.

Statement Tiles

    • We’ll see a lot more statement tiles this year, especially in showers. By using a statement or accent tile, you’ll break up any monotony in these mostly plain spaces.

That’s all for now – I hope you all had a wonderful month!

Resources: Good Housekeeping

January Home Maintenance Checklist

Make a fresh start in the new year with a healthy pantry makeover, organized files and a decluttered home. Of course, once the energy of those new year’s resolutions begins to fizzle, you may be in need of a midwinter boost — when that time comes, try cozy accents and a few light-enhancing tips to keep the winter blues at bay.

1. Refresh Your Kitchen and Pantry for the New Year

    • Have you made a new year’s resolution to eat healthier foods or eat out less and prepare more meals at home? Kick things off by thoroughly cleaning your kitchen and pantry. Put your blender or juicer in a prominent spot on the counter to make it easier to whip up healthy juices and smoothies, and place fresh produce front and center.

2. Take Down and Store Holiday Decorations

    • Pack fragile ornaments with care, and wind tree lights around a piece of cardboard to avoid tangling. If there were any ornaments or decorations you didn’t end up using this year, consider giving them away, and save the space for things you really love.

3. Organize Your Papers and Digital Documents

    • It’s like going to the dentist: not exactly a pleasant task, but you know you’ll feel good when it’s done. So brew yourself a cup of strong coffee, put on some energetic music and start sorting, shredding and filing. And don’t forget the computer — back up everything (put an automatic backup system in place if you don’t already have one), and begin sorting your digital documents and records using a simple filing system.

4. Bump Up Coziness

    • Avoid the post-holiday slump by adding a few super soft and cozy accents around the house: think velvet cushions, fluffy faux-fur throws, knitted poufs, candles, fresh flowers or a new teapot. And while you may be taking down most of your holiday decorations in the early part of January, consider leaving up a few strands of white twinkle lights and swags of fresh greenery a bit longer — we could all use the extra cheer at this time of year!

5. Boost Light

    • Getting enough light can make a huge difference in how we feel in winter. Do what you can to boost light by pulling open window coverings during the day, adding lamps and candles, and lighting a fire in the fireplace or wood stove if you have one. Or consider decorating with white for a light, bright look — in the Scandinavian countries, white interiors are common, thanks to their ability to amplify light and cheer up homes during those long, cold northern winters.

6. Keep Your Heating System Running Smoothly

    • If you notice any strange new noises coming from your heaters, or if one area of the house suddenly seems colder, have the system looked at right away, as these can be signs something is wrong. Make sure to change the air filters in your furnace regularly. If you heat with oil, have your furnace or boiler cleaned every year. If you heat with gas, you can have it done every three years or so. For high-efficiency heating systems, make sure that PVC vent pipes are cleared of snow and debris.

7. Clear Home and Wardrobe Clutter

    • Post-holidays is a good time for decluttering, since there’s a good chance you accumulated some new things over the previous few weeks. Grab a cardboard box and fill it with clothes, books and other items you no longer love or use. When it’s full, take it to a charitable donation center.

8. Plan Decorating and Remodeling Projects for the Year Ahead

    • Thinking of remodeling the kitchen, adding a deck, putting fresh tile in the bath or painting your bedroom? Use your favorite resources to save inspiring ideas and begin contacting pros to see your project through in the new year.

9. Check Your Emergency Supplies

    • With winter storms comes more potential for power outages — be prepared with fresh bottled water, shelf-stable foods, flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies and a hand-crank radio and smartphone charger.

10. Check the Exterior and Landscape After Winter Storms

    • Keep an eye out for ice dams on the roof, downed tree limbs and storm damage. Keep entrances and paths cleared of snow and ice, and be sure to arrange for snow removal around your home if you plan to be away this month.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! Cheers to 2024! What’s on your home to-do list this January?

Resources: Houzz.com

Your Post-Thanksgiving Game Plan

Thanksgiving is over and I hope you all had a wonderful day surrounded by your loved ones. Once you’ve recovered from the big day, these following steps will make your next holiday event a little bit easier.

1. Give the Kitchen a Thorough Scrubbing

    • This is the toughest part. In addition to doing the dishes and scouring the pots and pans, you’ll want to give the surfaces of your kitchen and the inside of your appliances a good cleaning to get rid of the spattered grease, spilled flour and stuck-on food. Once you’re done, reward yourself with another rest.

2. Organize and Inventory Your Serveware

    • Keep a notepad and donation bin handy. As you’re putting away your platters, bowls, pitchers, vases and other pieces, take stock: Was anything missing? Make a note to get it. While putting things away, pay special attention to everything. Are there pieces lurking on the bottom of the cabinet that you never use? If you didn’t use those items at your big Thanksgiving dinner, chances are you never will, so consider donating them.

3. Clean the Linens

    • Launder your tablecloths, napkins and other linens. During this busy time of the year, you deserve to drop them off at the dry cleaner if you wish — no guilt involved.

4. Restock

    • At the same time, take inventory with future holiday meals in mind. Use this chance to get your herbs, spices and staples organized for the rest of your holiday cooking, and make a list of things you need to replenish.

5. Stash Rarely Used Items Smarter

    • If you have Thanksgiving-specific equipment and decorations you use only at this time of year, find somewhere besides the kitchen to keep them together and organized. Valuable kitchen real estate is better put to use for everyday items.

6. Prep For Your Next Overnight Guests

    • Clean up the guest room, wash the bedding and towels, and think about ways to make welcoming another round of overnight visitors easier.

7. Clean Out the Pantry, Cupboards, and Refrigerator

    • Once the guests and leftovers are gone, take this opportunity to clean out the refrigerator and pantry. If you find canned or boxed food that hasn’t expired and you know you won’t use, place it in the donation bin — it’s a great time of year to give.

8. Refill Salt and Pepper Shakers

    • It seems like a small thing, but if you have to do it when all your burners are fired up for your next feast, it’s going to be one more detail stressing you out.

9. PUT UP YOUR FEET!

    • Congratulations! It wasn’t easy, but you’ve cut down the prep time for your next hosting gig. Your hard work means you’ll be organized and ready.

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your November! Until next month!

Resources: Houzz.com

Paint Colors Taking Over in 2024

Blue is about to have a major year in 2024! We’ll also see dark hues and warm tones as a favorite among the big paint companies.

1. Blue Nova by Benjamin Moore

    • Blue Nova is a medium-dark shade with purple undertones. This color works best if you need to visually cool off a space. I’d use this color a bit more sparingly since it’s rather dark, but it would be lovely for a front door or as an accent in a bedroom or bathroom.

2. Upward by Sherwin-Williams

    • Taking inspiration from the sky above, Sherwin-Williams has selected this breezy, tranquil light blue as its selection for 2024 Color of the Year. Upward has a touch of gray in it, which makes it a sophisticated alternative to a more pastel baby blue. This is an excellent blue paint if you’re looking to add color but want to keep your space light and bright. For instance, while dark navy blues have been popular recently for kitchen cabinets, this lighter shade might be a better option if your kitchen is on the smaller side or lacks abundant natural light. I can also see this color working well as a haint blue option for a porch ceiling.

3. Cracked Pepper by Behr

    • Cracked Pepper is a neutral dark gray that sits on the color spectrum just a tiny hair from black. In fact, you can use it in place of pure black, as the latter can often appear too harsh or intense in and on a home. Cracked Pepper is a true neutral in that it has neither warm nor cool undertones, so it can work well as an accent or trim color along with any other color or colors.

4. Persimmon by HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams

    • While warmer shades might be in the minority in this list, Persimmon really stands out to for its soft yet spicy quality. It is a lightened shade of earthy terra cotta, shown here on bathroom vanities. It’s an appetizing hue that lends itself well for use in a kitchen, dining room or other spaces in your home where you regularly gather for meals and conversation with family and friends.

5. Thermal by C2

    • Here’s another pretty, soft blue, but this one a touch darker than Sherwin-Williams’ Upward. As you can see, it works really well on kitchen cabinetry. It infuses color into the space but remains soft and tranquil. This color would also work well in a bathroom, whether on the walls or for cabinetry. Or you could consider using it as an accent color on just the ceiling. It’s a trick that can visually enlarge and open up a room, especially if it has low ceilings, as the color mimics the sky on a clear, sunny day.

6. Renew Blue by Valspar

    • Watery blues are a great go-to hue when you want to inject vibrant color into a home. It has a tropical “on vacation” vibe that plays well with warm or cool neutrals. This brings up an important point: While you might enjoy checking out all of the “Color of the Year” announcements, you shouldn’t feel as though it’s a call to redecorate using these colors. Rather, if you see something here that you like, you can look forward to that color being featured more prominently in decorative materials and housewares in the coming year, should you want to add the hue to your home.

7. Limitless by PPG and Glidden

    • For those looking to infuse their homes with warmer hues, PPG and Glidden’s selection of Limitless might be more to your liking. This soft champagne hue works well as a backdrop to darker wood tones, as well as warm metallics. Sunny shades such as Limitless can be called upon to help lighten and brighten a space, so if you have a dark, cramped room in the house that needs an infusion of luminous warmth, this could be the hue for you.

8. Skipping Stones by Dunn-Edwards

    • This medium blue shade reminds me of summer afternoons spent at the pool. It’s a cool blue, so it’s a great color choice for those residing in hotter climates. It can bring a soothing, cooling vibe to a bathroom, bedroom or sunroom. Dunn-Edwards’ Skipping Stones would also make a terrific front door color for those residing in any climate.

9. Ironside by Dutch Boy

    • Dutch Boy also went for a deep and moody hue, this one a dark olive green with ashy brown undertones. This is a shade I’m seeing more and more of lately, typically used on cabinetry and millwork. It gives a cozy, intimate vibe to a space, making it a great choice for bedrooms, living rooms and dining rooms.

10. Bay Blue by Minwax

    • Here’s a darker watery blue option that’s actually a wood stain. And the great thing about a wood stain, versus paint, is that it allows the beautiful grain and texture of the wood to show through while adding a fun, vibrant color.

Which was your favorite color? Let me know in the comments.
Until next month! Hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween!

Resources: Houzz

October Home Maintenance Checklist

Get your home October ready with this list of 10 to-dos.

1. Rake Leaves

    • The leaves are already starting to fall! To make quicker work of collecting leaves from a large lawn, rake the fallen foliage onto a large plastic tarp. Then bag it or add it to your compost pile.

2. Decorate for Halloween

    • If you’re planning to participate in Halloween festivities, whether you’re working on an elaborate lawn display or simple door decor, it helps to get an early start on shopping or crafting.

3. Keep Seasonal Decorating Low-Key with Natural Finds

    • Pumpkins, gourds, fresh heirloom apples, quinces, pomegranates, figs and fall foliage make wonderfully simple decor. Bring in cut branches from your yard, stop by a pick-your-own farm, or scoop up fall’s bounty at a farm stand.

4. Neaten Up Your Mudroom/Entry

    • The flurry of activity this time of year can leave your mudroom or entry looking a little worse for the wear. Sort through papers/mail and put away stray summer items. Clean the floors and invest in a new doormat if needed. Keep a recycling basket near the entrance to make sorting mail and school papers easier, and dedicate a tote or bin for items that need to go out.

5. Vacuum Radiators, Baseboard Heaters & Heating Grates

    • Prepare for heating season by vacuuming up dust from radiators, baseboard heaters and heating grates. If you have radiators with covers, remove the covers and vacuum beneath them before replacing.

6. Cover/Put Away Outdoor Furniture & Grills

    • If you plan to leave your patio furniture or grill outside through the fall and winter, cover them well and stow them beneath an overhang that will protect them from rain and snow. Even if you live in a mild climate, covering your grill between uses is a good idea to preserve the finish.

7. Shut Off Exterior Faucets & Store Hoses for Winter

    • Disconnect, drain and roll hoses before storing them for the winter. Shut off the water supply to exterior faucets to prevent frozen pipes.

8. Clean Gutters & Downspouts 

    • Wait until most of the leaves have fallen to schedule a rain gutter cleaning. Inspect gutters and downspouts for cracks and loose parts, and make repairs as needed.

9. Check Safety Devices

    • Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the house, replacing batteries as needed. Check the expiration date on the kitchen fire extinguisher and replace it if needed.

10. Start a Gift List

    • It may seem as though the holidays are a long way off, but that’s why it pays to start getting organized now. Start a list of everyone you plan to give gifts to this year, and as ideas strike, jot them down on your list. You can also use your list to keep track of a holiday gifting budget. And if you want to make any gifts by hand, October is a great time to get started — handmade gifts always seem to take longer to make than expected.

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your September! Until next month!

Resources: Houzz.com

Big Impact & Low Cost Home Renovations

Ready for a big change but not a big price tag? Here are some home renovations to get you started that won’t break the bank. Where would you start? Comment below!

1. Replace Doors

    • Replacing your garage door or front door can make a big difference when it comes to curb appeal. For an even less expensive renovation, consider painting your front door instead. Make sure the color you choose speaks to your home’s style. A bold, unusual hue, like the lime green on the home in the photo below is a nod to its modern exterior. But don’t be afraid to break the rules. Using an unexpected color can add personality and liven up a traditional facade.

2. Update Bathroom Vanity and Countertop

    • Finding a pre-made vanity set couldn’t be easier: Double-sink vanities, floating vanities and even corner vanities are regularly sold in a variety of styles, materials and sizes. A basic understanding of plumbing and some good old-fashioned elbow grease is required for assembly, but if the thought of messing with your pipes alarms you, a professional installation average around $1,500 and can be as low as $300. If replacing your vanity or countertop is out of the budget, consider countertop refinishing. There are tons of options out there when it comes to refinishing your bathroom countertop, like an epoxy option.

3. Change Kitchen Countertop or Mismatched Appliances

    • Replacing countertops is a common kitchen renovation. Ceramic and porcelain tile are the most cost-effective and are an easy DIY, if you don’t mind taking the time to install and maintain them. Laminate countertops are slightly more expensive, but offer a diverse range of colors and styles. Essential kitchen appliances like refrigerators, stoves and dishwashers can all be replaced surprisingly inexpensively. Depending on the brand, it’s possible to spend less than $500 per large appliance (not counting any additional fees). Don’t forget to ask a retailer about package offers or discounts if you are buying multiple appliances, which can save you up to $1,500.

4. Deep Cleaning

    • Sounds simple enough, but nothing can refresh a home more than a good deep clean. Consider hiring a cleaning company to come and do a massive deep clean of your home. Rent a power washer or hire a professional to power wash the exterior of your home.

5. Redo or Install Kitchen Backsplash

    • Redoing the backsplash is both a surprisingly easy DIY and a classic way to bring creativity and personal flair into an otherwise standard kitchen. Inexpensive materials are easy to find, from peel-and-stick patterns to painted planks, mark-down tiles and stencil designs.

6. Incorporate an Interior Design Theme

    • Often, making a house feel brand new can be as simple as changing up the furniture and style. Consider theming certain rooms of your house around a certain color, pattern or style and getting rid of, or refurbishing and upcycling, any furniture that no longer matches. It also simplifies the shopping process: you can save money by buying wholesale and taking advantage of cheaper prices on themed sets of dishware, linens and accessories. By unifying your house or a room with an appealing aesthetic, you can make it look like you’re an expert in interior design. And if you have some furniture that you can’t bear to part with, but it doesn’t quite fit anywhere–go ahead and give that one room a cozy, eclectic vibe.

Until next month!

Resources: Forbes

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